Using Poetry as Therapy

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) Some people don’t let adversity get them down and our next guest used poetry as her way to cope when life takes an ugly turn. Poet Laura Chagnon and her Primary Care Giver Tom Damoulakis told us about her journey.

About Laura Chagnon:

Laura was in Boston on her 26th birthday. Unfortunately, she was the victim of a senseless assault. She received severe head injuries which left her quadriplegic and legally blind. She was in a coma for 5 weeks and then spent nearly 4 years in physical rehab facilities.

After rehab, she returned to live with her parents. She wanted to be a productive member of the community. She always had an interest in writing poetry, so in 1993, she delved into it head first.

After over 20 years of writing every day, Laura has over 5,000 poems in her inventory.